BREMERTON — The Bremerton police officers who were shot during a confrontation with a domestic violence suspect Dec. 17 are recovering from their injuries, and one of the officers is recovering at home.

Officer Allan McComas was shot in the waist and was treated at Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton; he was discharged later that day. Officer Kent Mayfield was shot twice in the abdomen; he had surgery and on Dec. 18 remained hospitalized in “satisfactory condition.”

Bremerton Police Lt. Randy Plumb said this was the first time in his career at Bremerton — since 1999 — that a Bremerton police officer has been shot in the line of duty. He said officers are being debriefed “to make sure everybody’s healthy and good.” Debriefing is being conducted by chaplains “and other officers experienced in this area.”

McComas and Mayfield were approaching a parked SUV at Lions Park early Dec. 17; the person in the car, identified later as Willie Floyd McCord of Bremerton, was suspected of violating a domestic violence protection order. According to police, as the officers approached the vehicle, McCord emerged with two firearms — one in each hand — and began firing at the officers.

The officers returned fire, striking McCord, who was later pronounced dead at the scene. Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office and the Kitsap Critical Incident Response Team are investigating the shooting. McComas and Mayfield are on administrative assignment pending the completion of the investigation, which is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings.

McComas has five years of experience as an officer, the last year and a half with Bremerton Police. He previously served with the South Bend Police Department. Mayfield has 42 years of experience as an officer, the last 27 with Bremerton PD.

The police department issued this statement from the Mayfield family:

“We are so grateful for all the incredible people who have shown so much love and support to our family during this difficult time. From the other Bremerton police and fire personnel on the scene, to the medical staff, to the community at large … all we can say is thank you.

“Dad is our hero. He was our hero long before this happened, and he will remain our hero forever. Dad is both courageous and kind. He is at the same time strong and sensitive. He touches people’s lives and makes them better wherever he goes. He has dedicated his career to public safety, and he does it with a humble demeanor that belies the true grit he has long carried.

”If there is anything Dad wishes might come from all of this, it is simply that you will hug your own loved ones just a little bit longer and tell them how much they mean to you. We are thankful we can continue hugging him and that he is expected to make a full recovery.”

Former senior petty officer

According to his Facebook profile, in which he spelled his name Mccord, with a lowercase “c,” Willie Mccord’s profile states he was originally from Griffin, Georgia, and had served in the Navy. A photo posted in 2013 shows him in Navy uniform; his rank was torpedoman’s mate first class, and a pin shows he was submarine-warfare qualified.

According to records available on FamilySearch.org, Dec. 17 — the day Mccord was shot and killed — was his 53rd birthday.

Yolunda Brown, a neighbor of Mccord’s, described him as a family man who had fallen on hard times.

“It was an isolated incident with him and his wife, the violence that happened. It was not a regular occurrence,” Brown said. “He was a very, very, very, nice man and he was good to his wife, and he was good to his children and his family … He was a mentor to some of the kids around here. He was a good person.”

Wilda Smith painted a similar picture of Mccord, saying he was a man who worked hard to support his family, but had troubles at home that recently sent him on a downward spiral, eventually leading to him sleeping in his car.

“He was a quiet man, he didn’t talk to anybody when this started happening,” Smith said. “You could see the pain in him.”

— Nick Twietmeyer is a reporter for the Kitsap News Group. Contact him at ntwietmeyer@soundpublishing.com.

Bremerton Police Officer Kent Mayfield